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Control of Eating Behavior Using a Novel Feedback System
04:48

Control of Eating Behavior Using a Novel Feedback System

Published on: May 8, 2018

Low inhibitory control and restrictive feeding practices predict weight outcomes

Stephanie L Anzman1, Leann L Birch

  • 1Center for Childhood Obesity Research, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.

The Journal of Pediatrics
|July 15, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Children with lower self-control are at higher risk for obesity. Parental feeding practices can worsen or improve this risk, highlighting the need for early intervention strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental psychology
  • Pediatric obesity research
  • Behavioral science

Background:

  • Identifying early predictors of obesity is crucial in obesogenic environments.
  • Inhibitory control, a key temperament trait, may influence weight trajectories.
  • Parenting practices, particularly feeding styles, can impact child weight outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine if early inhibitory control predicts weight gain in girls.
  • To determine if parental restrictive feeding moderates the link between inhibitory control and weight.
  • To identify early markers for obesity susceptibility.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal study of 197 non-Hispanic white girls and their parents from ages 5 to 15.
  • Assessed inhibitory control, parental feeding restriction, and body mass index (BMI).
  • Utilized maternal reports for temperament and child reports for feeding practices.

Main Results:

  • Lower inhibitory control at age 7 correlated with higher BMI and increased weight gain.
  • Girls with lower inhibitory control were more likely to be overweight by age 15.
  • Perceived parental restriction intensified the negative association between inhibitory control and weight status.

Conclusions:

  • Early differences in inhibitory control may predispose individuals to obesity.
  • Parental restrictive feeding practices can exacerbate obesity risk in susceptible children.
  • Targeting inhibitory control and parenting strategies may mitigate childhood obesity.
Abstract

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